{"id":160378,"date":"2025-12-01T08:55:25","date_gmt":"2025-12-01T08:55:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zimyo.com\/middle-east\/?p=160378"},"modified":"2026-03-03T04:54:00","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T04:54:00","slug":"public-holidays-in-uae-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zimyo.com\/middle-east\/insights\/public-holidays-in-uae-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Public Holidays in UAE 2026: Guide for Employees & HR"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Multicultural ambience, deep-rooted heritage, and inclusive values are some of the reasons the UAE is admired. Some of the most looked-forward-to features about living in the UAE – or visiting it – involve the\u00a0public holidays in UAE, especially the ones relating to Islamic tradition. These public holidays are not just cultural\u00a0markers,\u00a0but\u00a0significant events\u00a0that tend to affect business planning and workforce management.\u00a0<\/p>

From the HR perspective, preparation in advance considering\u00a0Public Holidays in UAE 2026\u00a0is hugely necessary. HR leaders have to align company policies of leaves with official UAE announcements regarding\u00a0national day\u00a0holiday, religious holidays, and other\u00a0emirates public holidays.\u00a0In this way, one can plan in advance for\u00a0the smooth\u00a0running of businesses, full compliance, and maximum satisfaction of employees.\u00a0<\/p>

Furthermore, being\u00a0in the know\u00a0about UAE\u00a0upcoming\u00a0holiday\u00a0helps employees and employers alike to plan vacations, scheduling, staffing, and\u00a0payroll\u00a0<\/a>without any glitches. As we go into details on\u00a0\u0639\u0637\u0644\u0629\u00a0\u0631\u0633\u0645\u064a\u0629\u00a0and\u00a0UAE national holiday\u00a0planning, always refer to our 2026 holiday overview.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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List of Public Holidays in UAE 2026<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Below is a projected schedule of\u00a0<\/span><\/span>United Arab Emirates public holidays 2026<\/span><\/span>\u00a0based on the lunar Hijri calendar and recurring fixed\u00a0<\/span>public<\/span>\u00a0holidays<\/span>\u00a0in UAE<\/span>. As per\u00a0UAE labor law<\/a>, the dates of Islamic\u00a0<\/span>coming holiday in UAE\u00a0<\/span>are subje<\/span>ct to change depending on moon sightings.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Date <\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Day<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Holiday<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

1 January 2026<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Thursday<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

New Year\u2019s Day<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

20\u201322\u00a0March 2026<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Friday- Sunday<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Eid Al Fitr\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

26\u00a0May 2026<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Tuesday<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Arafat Day<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

27\u201329\u00a0May 2026<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Wednesday\u2013Friday<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Eid Al Adha<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

16\u00a0June 2026<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Tuesday<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Islamic\u00a0New Year (Hijri New Year)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

25\u00a0August 2026<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Tuesday<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Prophet Mohammed\u2019s Birthday<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

30 November 2026<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Monday<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

UAE\u00a0Commemoration Day<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

2 December 2026<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Wednesday<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

UAE National Day\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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*Disclaimer*<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>

These dates are proje<\/span>c<\/span>ted based on the Islami<\/span>c<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>c<\/span>alendar stru<\/span>c<\/span>ture. On<\/span>c<\/span>e final\u00a0<\/span>c<\/span>onfirmation is issued by UAE\u00a0MOHRE, the HR teams should update the\u00a0<\/span>c<\/span>alendars, leave stru<\/span>c<\/span>tures, and employee\u00a0<\/span>c<\/span>ommuni<\/span>c<\/span>ations a<\/span>c<\/span>c<\/span>ordingly.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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A Closer Look at Public Holidays in UAE 2026<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Below given is the detailed descriptions of the UAE public holidays-<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u2022 New Year\u2019s Day (1 January 2026) <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Like each year, New Year\u2019s Day is a\u00a0public\u00a0holiday in\u00a0UAE, for both\u00a0the public\u00a0and private sectors.\u00a0Celebrations across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and other emirates fill the night skies with unforgettable fireworks \u2014 especially near Burj Khalifa.\u00a0<\/p>

This day is also\u00a0considered the first public holiday in UAE, giving\u00a0companies a fresh start for annual planning and team\u00a0goal setting. Many residents also use the time during the\u00a0UAE holiday\u00a0to rest, travel locally, or enjoy winter events in Dubai and other emirates.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u2022 Eid Al Fitr UAE Holiday (20\u201322 March 2026, ) <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Eid Al Fitr\u00a0celebrates the end of Ramadan\u00a0as one of the\u00a0public\u00a0holidays\u00a0in UAE. Families visit one another, share meals, attend Eid prayers, and exchange gifts. This is one of the biggest\u00a0holidays in the UAE, offering a well-earned break for working professionals.\u00a0<\/p>

As Ramadan\u00a0comes to an end, HR departments should be prepared for requests for leave, ensuring payroll, scheduling, and approvals with\u00a0employee self service\u00a0<\/a>are kept smooth via platforms. This\u00a0Eid Al Fitr UAE holiday\u00a0also sees much travel activity, both within and outside the\u00a0country, as people maximize this extended break.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u2022 Arafat Day (26 May 2026) <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Arafat Day is\u00a0observed\u00a0one day before\u00a0<\/span>Eid Al Adha UAE holiday\u00a0and holds great spiritual significance. It is\u00a0connected to the pilgrimage of Hajj and finds representation as a\u00a0public\u00a0holiday in\u00a0UAE.\u00a0<\/p>

People\u00a0observe\u00a0prayers and reflections, acknowledging the deep religious meaning of this day. This\u00a0<\/span>Arafat Day holiday<\/span>\u00a0is usually followed by\u00a0extended\u00a0employee leave and forms part of one of the longest\u00a0<\/span>UAE holiday periods\u00a0of the year.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u2022 Eid Al Adha UAE Holiday (27\u201329 May 2026) <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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It is also referred to as the \u201cFestival of Sacrifice,\u201d and is one of the two majors Islamic \u0639\u0637\u0644\u0629 \u0631\u0633\u0645\u064a\u0629 holidays. Traditionally, Muslims perform animal sacrifice and distribute portions on these public holidays in UAE to family and those less fortunate.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Most employees extend\u00a0their\u00a0leave to travel, so\u00a0organization\u00a0should plan in advance for this\u00a0UAE upcoming<\/span>\u00a0holiday<\/span>. This\u00a0<\/span>Eid Al Adha UAE holiday<\/span>\u00a0is also popular for tourism, family gatherings, and community feasting across Emirates.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u2022 Islamic New Year Holiday in UAE (16 June 2026) <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The new Hijri year, 1448 AH, is marked by a reflective and solemn holiday rather than a\u00a0celebratory one. This is a fully recognized\u00a0<\/span>Islamic\u00a0New Year holiday in UAE<\/span>\u00a0and applies to private sector employees as well.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

This\u00a0Dubai holidays public\u00a0day offers a moment of contemplation and spiritual renewal. Companies often experience a short operational pause as all employees\u00a0observe\u00a0this\u00a0<\/span>public holiday\u00a0in\u00a0UAE in\u00a0a quiet and respectful manner.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u2022 Prophet Mohammed\u2019s Birthday (25 August 2026) <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Observed on the 12th of Rabi-Al-Awwal, this is a peaceful religious observance where people reflect on the Prophet\u2019s life and teachings. This is an officially recognized <\/span>UAE national holiday.\u00a0<\/p>

On this day, municipalities often organize\u00a0cultural and religious programs. As it is a\u00a0<\/span>public\u00a0holiday in UAE, organizations might adjust meeting and deadline scheduling around this observance.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u2022 UAE Commemoration Day (30 November 2026) <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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It is a solemn day to remember all the Emirati heroes who gave their lives for the nation. This is a significant <\/span><\/span>national\u00a0<\/span>holiday<\/span>\u00a0UAE<\/span><\/span>\u00a0in which all sectors of\u00a0<\/span>the federal<\/span>\u00a0government to private sectors\u00a0<\/span>participate<\/span>. These include flag-raising events, public memorials, and national broadcasts. This day is different from all other\u00a0<\/span><\/span>UAE holidays<\/span><\/span>\u00a0because this holiday is patriotic, with a reflective vibe, which creates respect for the nation’s history.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u2022 UAE National Day (2 December 2026) <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Perhaps the most festive occasion on the calendar marks the unification of the Emirates in 1971. The nation celebrates fireworks, cultural performances, traditional shows, and concerts. Everything on this UAE holidays national day is decorated and lit up, from the beautiful fireworks shows to parades, cultural performances, traditional Emirati shows, and musical concerts. Families, residents, and tourists all converge to celebrate this one day of national pride, making it the most awaited and joyful public holiday in the UAE every year.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

This Dubai holidays national day is widely searched under many variations including:<\/span> <\/span>UAE National Day Public Holiday<\/a>, <\/span>National Day holiday UAE, A<\/span>bu Dhabi national day holiday, N<\/span>ational day holiday Dubai and <\/span>UAE National Day holiday – private sector. <\/span><\/p>\n

It is a Dubai official holiday day when the entire country unites together with patriotism and joy.<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Optimize leave processes with Zimyo<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Why Knowledge of Public Holidays in UAE Advance Matters <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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With this\u00a0calendar, Next\u00a0<\/span>public\u00a0holidays in UAE 2026, organizations can view:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>